U.S. patent application number 10/409403 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-27 for system and method for optimal viewing of computer monitors to minimize eyestrain.
Invention is credited to Bakar, Sherwyne R., Moon, Jory E., Stern, Roger A..
Application Number | 20030218721 10/409403 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27388199 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030218721 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stern, Roger A. ; et
al. |
November 27, 2003 |
System and method for optimal viewing of computer monitors to
minimize eyestrain
Abstract
A system and method for helping ensure that a user of a computer
is set up to optimally view the computer monitor under optimal
conditions in order to minimize eyestrain. The system includes
determining an optimal viewing distance and monitoring the distance
of a user from the computer monitor during use of the computer. The
system further includes notifying the user when they stray from the
optimal viewing distance and further may include testing various
aspects of the user's eyesight during use of the computer
monitor.
Inventors: |
Stern, Roger A.;
(CupertinoPalo Alto, CA) ; Moon, Jory E.; (Los
Altos, CA) ; Bakar, Sherwyne R.; (Palo Alto,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COOLEY GODWARD, LLP
3000 EL CAMINO REAL
5 PALO ALTO SQUARE
PALO ALTO
CA
94306
US
|
Family ID: |
27388199 |
Appl. No.: |
10/409403 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10409403 |
Apr 7, 2003 |
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09680573 |
Oct 6, 2000 |
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6592223 |
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60158586 |
Oct 7, 1999 |
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60222268 |
Jul 31, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
351/237 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 3/06 20130101; G06F
3/013 20130101; A61B 3/028 20130101; G06F 2200/1611 20130101; G06F
3/14 20130101; G06F 1/1601 20130101; A61B 5/0002 20130101; A61B
3/024 20130101; A61B 3/032 20130101; G06F 3/011 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
351/237 |
International
Class: |
A61B 003/02 |
Claims
1. A method of optimizing a user's viewing of a viewing monitor to
minimize eyestrain, the method comprising: displaying a test
pattern; identifying the test pattern by the user; setting an
appropriate viewing distance for the user based upon the
selection.
2. A method of optimizing a user's viewing of a viewing monitor to
minimize eyestrain, the method comprising: selecting an appropriate
viewing distance; monitoring the user's distance from the viewing
monitor; and notifying the user when the user varies from the
appropriate viewing distance.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/158,586, filed Oct. 7, 1999 and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/222,268, filed Jul. 31, 2000,
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to systems and methods for
helping ensure that a user of a computer is properly positioned to
view a monitor, and more particularly, to systems and methods for
helping ensure that a user of a computer is set up to optimally
view the computer monitor under optimal conditions.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] A common problem of many computer users is that they often
sit too close to the computer monitor. This is especially true of
young children. It is well known that if one sits too close to the
computer monitor, the eye will intently focus on what is many times
a stationary image. This can lead to eyestrain.
[0006] Additionally, many users sit too long in front of a computer
without taking a break. This is true for many workers who must
operate a computer for almost the entire work day. It is often
difficult to ascertain when one has spent too much time in front of
a computer without taking a break. Additionally, many times the
lighting in the room where the computer is located may not be
optimal. This may lead to glare and other problems that also result
in eyestrain.
[0007] Recent medical literature clearly shows an increase in
eyestrain-related problems to computer users. Use of computers is
rapidly growing among children and improper use of computers is
thought to be a contributing factor to the increase in eyestrain
related problems in children.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a user of a computer monitor determines a proper viewing distance.
This may be accomplished by an installation program that will ask
the user to select a viewing distance by displaying any one of a
number of standard test patterns and asking the user to identify
them. The optimal viewing distance would then be selected based
upon the identification of the test patterns and would preferably
be slightly closer than the farthest distance at which the user can
correctly identify the test pattern.
[0009] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, the user will be notified when he is not at the proper
viewing distance. This may be accomplished by switching the
computer monitor's display to a "screensaver" type program,
sounding an alarm, or even turning off the computer monitor. A
sensor may be provided for monitoring the actual distance of the
user. Preferably, the electrical interface to the sensor would be
"piggybacked" onto an existing device, such as, for example, a
keyboard or mouse, thus not requiring any additional computer
resources or requiring any other source of electrical power.
[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, statistics about a user's viewing distance are recorded.
This may be especially useful in work situations where almost
continuous use of the computer is anticipated. For example, there
might be trend toward closer viewing as the length of time the
computer is being used increases. In such a situation, this may
indicate that a break is in order, and in a preferred embodiment of
the present invention, the system would so notify the user.
[0011] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, the measured viewing distance may be used for a periodic
test of the user's eyesight. For example, test patterns may be
displayed and the user may be "scored" at some predetermined fixed
distance. If the user scores too low on the tests, use of the
computer may be inhibited.
[0012] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, the level of ambient light in the user's environment may
be measured and suggestions may be provided by the system to either
increase or decrease the amount of ambient light. In such an
embodiment, a light level sensor may be incorporated into the
system that would feed information regarding the ambient light into
the computer through the shared interface as previously
discussed.
[0013] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention, the system may determine "amplitude of accommodation,"
which is the minimum distance between the eye and a viewing surface
below which the surface is blurry.
[0014] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention, a user may be presented with color tests and asked to
respond to them. This may be done over a period of time to
determine the user's interpretation of colors as use of the
computer over the period of time progresses.
[0015] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
system monitors the number of times or rate at which an individual
blinks their eyes. The individual may be viewing a monitor and with
a sensor or camera, the rate of blinking of the eyes is monitored.
By monitoring the rate at which the individual blinks their eyes,
or by monitoring the rate of changes in a baseline eye blink rate,
early detection of eye irritation and visual fatigue is
possible.
[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
be understood upon reading and understanding the detailed
description of the preferred exemplary embodiments found herein
below, in conjunction with reference to the drawings, in which like
numerals represent like elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system in accordance
with the present invention with a computer system;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view of the system illustrated in FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an internet-based
model of a system in accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a circuit for a
motherboard in accordance with the present invention; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a possible
arrangement of a control system for a system in accordance with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0022] FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a possible
arrangement of a system 10 in accordance with the present
invention. System 10 is depicted as a computer system 11 including
a computer monitor 12. Those skilled in the art will understand
that other monitors will also benefit from the methods and system
of the present invention. However, for simplicity and clarity, a
computer system will be used to describe the present invention.
[0023] System 10 further includes computer inputs, such as, for
example keyboard 14 and mouse 15. System 10 further includes at
least one distance sensor 16. Preferably, the electrical interface
to distance sensor 16 is piggybacked with, for example, the
keyboard or the mouse via a shared interface 17. Thus, the distance
sensor does not take up additional computer resources or require
any additional source of electrical power. More distance and light
sensors may be used and may be arranged in various configurations
as needed.
[0024] Distance sensor 16 may be one of any of well known distance
sensors in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the use of echo
location with high frequency sound waves is used. As stated
previously, preferably, distance sensor 16 is piggybacked with an
existing computer peripheral with a shared interface. However,
distance sensor 16 may be interfaced to the computer through its
own interface port, such as, for example, an RS 232 serial port or
USB port. Distance sensor 16 may be mounted on the monitor using an
adhesive tape attachment and aimed such that the spatial volume
where the distance measurements are made extends from a point very
close to the monitor, for example, within 6 inches and extends out
to what may be considered the farthest practical viewing distance,
for example, 4 meters. Generally, optimal viewing distance is
believed to be approximately 18 to 24 inches from computer monitor
12. The distance information from the sensor may be sampled, for
example, once per second, and such real-time distance data is then
fed directly into the computer through the interface.
[0025] In an initial step, a user 20 determines their proper
viewing distance. This may be accomplished with an installation
program that will ask the user to select a viewing distance. In a
preferred embodiment, the optimal viewing distance would be user
specific for computers used by more than one person. Preferably,
the method includes displaying any one of a number of standard test
patterns that are known in the art and asking the user to identify
them. Preferably, the optimal viewing distance is then set slightly
closer then the farthest distance at which the user is able to
correctly identify the test pattern.
[0026] System 10 will preferably then notify user 20 when they are
not at the proper viewing distance as measured by distance sensor
16. One way in which user 20 may be notified is by switching the
display to a "screensaver" type of program when the user gets too
close to the screen. Preferably, the switching algorithm used to
switch to the screensaver would be intelligent and, for example,
ignore momentary infrequent violations of distance limits. The type
of screensaver may be selected by the user and, for example, may
consist of a message indicating that the user is too close or the
image may consist of a relaxing image that is pleasant to view. In
any event, normal use of the computer is suspended until the user
returns to the proper viewing distance or until sometime when it
expires. If user 20 is a child, the screensaver may be some type of
gentle reminder to move back from the computer, either visual or
auditory, or it may be done with animated characters, or by
motivation such as a game where the child receives points or a
"gold star" if the proper viewing distance is maintained.
[0027] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, statistics are recorded about user 20's viewing
distance, as measured by distance sensor 16. The statistics may
then be monitored or analyzed in order to determine if there is a
trend toward closer viewing and the length of time that the
computer monitor is being viewed. This information may be used to
indicate that a break is in order and, preferably, the system would
notify user 20, for example, either visually or audibly.
[0028] Furthermore, the measured viewing distance may be used for a
periodic test of the user's eyesight. This may be used by
displaying test patterns already known in the art similar to those
used above for determining optimal viewing, and "scoring" the user
at some predetermined fixed distance. If user 20 scores too low on
such a test, use of the computer may be inhibited. Additionally, in
a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a light sensor 30
is provided that measures the level of ambient light in the user's
environment and provides suggestions as to either increasing or
decreasing the amount of ambient light. Light level sensor 30 may
be incorporated into distance sensor 16 or may be a separate sensor
all together. If it is a separate sensor, light level sensor 30
once again is preferably piggybacked with another device in the
system or may have a dedicated interface, such as, for example, a
RS 232 serial port.
[0029] Additionally, system 10 preferably measures a users
"amplitude of accommodation," which is generally defined as the
minimum distance between the eye and a viewing surface below which
the surface is blurry. Such a test for amplitude of accommodation
preferably is performed by having the user lean forward until the
test target on the screen becomes fuzzy. As can be seen in the
figures, the sensors may be incorporated into the bezel of a flat
panel, LCD monitor, or any other monitor or viewing screen that may
be used. While the user is at this distance where the test target
has become fuzzy, the user clicks the mouse and the software
measures the distance to the user via the distance sensor 16. Such
a test may be performed over a period of time in order to determine
the variance of the amplitude of accommodation over a period of
time of use of the computer monitor.
[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, system 10
performs color testing of the user. User 20 is preferably presented
with color tests, which are known in the art, and is asked to
respond to them. As with the amplitude of accommodation test, this
may be performed over a period of time in order to determine the
variance of the user's "interpretation" of colors over a period of
time of use of the computer monitor.
[0031] System 10 also preferably monitors a user's number of times
of blinking, or rate at which the user blinks their eyes. In such
an embodiment, system 10 includes a small imaging sensor or camera
40 pointed at the user's face. An image analysis and pattern
recognition algorithm is used to identify the user's face from
other objects in a room, identify the eyes on the face and make a
decision as to whether the eyes are open or not. Small digital
image sensors and powerful digital signal processing circuitry is
available to perform these functions and is well known in the art.
Performance of the system may be improved or made user specific,
for example, by having the computer user let the system take
reference images of the face with their eyes both open and closed.
These reference images then serve as templates in a pattern
matching algorithm.
[0032] In a further embodiment of the present invention, system 10
includes testing or determining a user's visual acuity using a
Landolt Ring. The technique would follow the guidelines accepted by
the ophthalmic community and would be rotated randomly. Another
such testing, which may commonly be referred to as rapid visual
acuity testing (RVAT), would be useful for determining the visual
acuity of a user at the user's working distance from the computer
monitor. The visual acuity may be monitored periodically in order
to determine changes over a period of time. In a preferred
embodiment, user 20 would sit at their normal working distance at
the computer and the screen would be blank except for arrows on an
outer portion of the screen that act as indicators for a band or
ring or "C" (Landolt Ring). The "C" appears on the screen as a
20/10 letter (i.e., a size of a letter that at 20 feet would appear
to a user as being at 10 feet) and would slowly increase in size,
for example, 20/11, 20/12. 20/13, etc., until first discernable by
the user. At the point the user detects the "C," the user clicks
the mouse or the enter key. The progression of the C pauses and a
message appears instructing the user to identify the position of
the C. If the answer is correct, the "C" is rotated randomly in two
more positions. If the individual again correctly identifies the
orientation of the "C," then the test is ended. Preferably, a
predetermined amount of time, for example, up to five seconds for
each decision, is provided.
[0033] By accurately knowing the distance of the eye from the
computer, size of the "C" angular subtends, and the correct
response, a software program within the computer will be able to
calculate an individual's visual acuity. If improper responses are
made, then the progression of size of the "C" slowly increases
until the right answers are given.
[0034] By calculating the level of illumination, the testing of
visual acuity may be performed at the same level of light.
[0035] The vision testing with the Landolt C patterns may be done
on an LCD screen integrated into the device.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic illustration of an internet
based model of the system in accordance with the present invention.
A central website 50 is provided for receiving data 51 from a user
at a local site 52 that includes computer users. The computer
user's data is sent to the central website over the internet and
then forwarded to an analysis location 53 that analyzes the user's
data. The data analysis site also provides a central website
international users' database 54 and sends back analyses and
recommendations regarding the user data to the central website. The
central website then distributes the data analysis and
recommendations to a corporate ergonomic staff and/or users' eye
care professional 55 and, if desired, to the actual user
itself.
[0037] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a possible circuit for a
motherboard that may be included in a computer system that utilizes
the present invention. FIG. 5 is an electronic block diagram of a
possible control system for a system in accordance with the present
invention.
[0038] The present invention may also be used for vision testing in
the home for those patients who have recently undergone ocular
surgery, require monitoring before surgery, are taking
pharmaceuticals that may affect their vision, or have an ongoing
medical problem that is vision related.
[0039] As part of vision testing, a user's central visual field may
be analyzed by incorporating a dynamic "Threshold" Amsler Grid
Test. A CRT or LCD monitor, a mouse and our software program
preferably is used to detect and quantify any field defect
(scotomas and metamorphopsia). A user will mark areas of field loss
and/or aberrations using the mouse device. The contrast can be
altered either electronically or graphically. This information may
be transmitted via the internet for professional evaluation.
[0040] Preferably, the system resembles a laptop computer
incorporating the appropriate hardware features plus a keyboard for
user input and a remote input device for distance vision testing.
The system also preferably includes a built-in modem configured to
automatically access a website on the click of the mouse. The
distance sensor may be incorporated into the mouse.
[0041] Software features preferably include user medical history,
medications, and vision profiling, real time measurement of viewing
distance while vision testing, adjusting test pattern size relative
to viewing distance, recommendations for optimizing environmental
lighting prior to vision testing, recording and tracking real time
user vision performance over time, and transmitting patient
information and analysis to eye care and/or medical doctor.
[0042] In the software, preferably an icon in the utility tray will
be incorporated to activate onscreen directions, comments and
recommendations based upon the system's data analysis. Furthermore,
the software will preferably make productivity measurements by
evaluating typing speed, mouse clicks, engagement time and errors.
Additionally, the view size will preferably increase automatically,
over time, based upon collected parameters and analyzed data
provided by the software.
[0043] The system preferably allows a patient's professional care
giver to prescribe the type and frequency of vision testing. Upon
test completion, the patient plugs the device into a standard phone
outlet to transmit the data to the website where it is stored in
the patient's file and transmitted either by e-mail or fax to their
doctor(s).
[0044] Preferably, the system includes three or more light meters
in order to determine the source of multi-directional light
relative to the user. This allows for the analysis of glare.
Preferably, one separate attachable sensor is used to measure
various parameters of the monitor screen. One or more of these may
be attached to a retractable cable that allows it to be moved and
possibly positioned facing the user's monitor to measure the
brightness of the screen.
[0045] Preferably, the system includes sensors to measure ambient
noise, temperature and humidity. Such information allows for proper
operation of the equipment and also allows for the analysis to take
into account the effects of these conditions.
[0046] While the system has been described throughout with the use
of software, in an alternative embodiment, the system will be in
communication with a central website. Such communication may be
provided, for example, via the internet. The website would thus
control the system and various parameters may be automatically
changed within the system as directed from the website, such as,
for example, the viewer distance from the monitor.
[0047] The system also preferably includes a leveling device for
proper positioning of the individual in front of the computer. LEDs
or a digital camera using a recessed LED for "sighting reference"
to determine the user's position may be incorporated into the
system in order to determine the correct viewing angle for the
individual.
[0048] Additionally, the system preferably includes a mechanical
apparatus situated under a user's monitor or incorporated into a
user's desk. The apparatus automatically moves the computer monitor
(including flat panel displays) in a forward or backward direction
to adjust for accommodative and visual changes of the user
throughout the day. The image size or view size on the user's
screen will also adjust, automatically in accordance with the
direction of monitor display movement. The mechanical apparatus
also preferably will control the height of the monitor and the
viewing angle of the monitor.
[0049] The tilt of the monitor with respect to the user may be
determined by placing a linear sequence of LED's behind a
faceplate. The faceplate is preferably reasonably thick, for
example, 0.5 inches. The LEDs shine out through holes in the
faceplate. Each hole is tilted at an angle relative to
substantially straight out. This means that only the LED that
corresponds to the hole that is tilted at the correct angle for
alignment with the viewer will be visible. Thus, the angle of tilt
can be determined.
[0050] Other environmental factors such as noise, light flicker,
temperature and humidity may be monitored as these may affect
productivity and eyestrain. Temperature and humidity may be
especially important to user's wearing contact lenses.
[0051] The typing speed and keystroke error rates may be indicative
of the fatigue level of the individual user and thus, may also be
monitored.
[0052] Although the invention has been described with reference to
specific exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that it is
intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *